Facing a gap between projected revenues and expenses for next year approaching $50 million, the Metropolitan King County Council recently adopted a set of priorities to guide the County Executive’s development of a budget plan for 2010, with priority placed on efficiency in government and the protection of public safety, health and human services, and the physical environment.

The legislation recognizes the widening structural gap between the cost of continuing current services and the revenues available to support those services. At the same time, demand for County services continues to increase. Given these challenges, the Council intends for the 2010 budget to be one that prioritizes: Council-initiated efficiencies, including department savings and examining creative ways to reduce the overall costs related to personnel; public safety with a focus on the King County Sheriff’s Office, District Court, Superior Court, Public Defence, Prosecuting Attorney and adult and juvenile detention; and health and human services.